SYRIA, Seleukid Kings. Antiochos I. 280-261 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.94 gm). 
      Magnesia ad Sipylum mint. Diademed head right / BASILEWS right, ANTIOXOY 
      left, nude Herakles seated left on rock, lion's skin draped over rock, 
      holding club on ground in right hand, left hand at his side; two monograms 
      in exergue. SNG Spaer -; Newell, WSM, 1456 (A1/P-); Houghton, CSE, 625. 

Very rare and the finest known of the type! ($5000) Although he attributes this coinage to Magnesia ad Sipylum, Newell (WSM pg. 
273) notes that the engraver of this obverse die, known to Newell 
from just one example, was likely the same artist who engraved a 
small number of superb portraits at Smyrna (WSM 1493-4). 
Newell points out that this is one of the earliest issues of the 
weary Herakles type, which was introduced towards the close of Antiochos I.s reign. 

Triton V Sale, 16 Jan 2002, lot 1484.
 Lot sold for $6000, plus buyers fees.
By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.